Conor McGregor helped produce the two biggest live gates in UFC history, and based on current ticket prices, his return may set another record.
The Irish superstar, who faces Michael Chandler in the main event at UFC 303 on June 29, fights for the first time in three years since suffering a gruesome broken leg in his most recent outing in 2021. Now healthy again, McGregor seeks to resume his career with his return at International Fight Week 2024.
Tickets for the event go on sale on April 26, but UFC released information about VIP ticket packages on Monday, which are brokered through On Location — the live event service owned by Endeavor, the company that serves as the primary shareholder in UFC.
The highest priced option lists at $12,000 per ticket, which includes a guaranteed seat in the 100 level section along with in-venue hospitality, a reserved seat at the ceremonial weigh-in, a post weigh-in reception, and a VIP entrance into the T-Mobile Arena.
The next level down starts at $11,500 per ticket, which features the same amenities but a guaranteed floor level ticket.
The smallest package, which is already sold out, started at $2,750, and that included a ticket in the 200 level seats along with pre-fight hospitality, a reserved seat at the ceremonial weigh-ins, and a post weigh-in reception.
There is an even higher package available that comes with a floor level ticket, all elite experiences included, side stage weigh-in access, a framed fight card poster signed by the main card athletes and UFC CEO Dana White, and custom fight kits, but the price is only available through inquiry with the company. Obviously, those prices exceed $12,000 per ticket.
VIP packages for tickets have become big business for the UFC in recent years after Endeavor acquired the company in 2016. OnLocation also handles seating for the UFC APEX events, which feature a limited number of seats with VIP packages raging in price, but usually hitting several thousand dollars at the highest level.
Standard ticket prices for UFC 303 will likely range between $700 to $2,500, with higher prices expected for the lower level seats on the floor closer to the octagon.
The full live gate won’t be made available until fight night, but McGregor’s last appearance at UFC 264 in 2021 pulled in $15,759,800 at the T-Mobile Arena, which stands as the fourth-highest live gate in the history of the promotion. McGregor’s biggest live gate happened in 2016 when he became the first ever simultaneous two-division champion at UFC 205 in New York, which brought in $17.7 million.